Morocco, U.S. discuss trade and customs issues at 9th FTA meeting in Rabat

The 9th session of the Joint Committee overseeing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Morocco and the United States was held Monday in Rabat to discuss ways to strengthen strategic ties and boost trade exchanges between the two countries.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) alongside senior institutional officials. Speaking after the session, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour said the consultations are part of efforts to implement King Mohammed VI’s vision aimed at strengthening Morocco’s economy and deepening ties with the kingdom’s strategic allies.

Mezzour stressed the importance of further consolidating the Rabat-Washington strategic partnership, particularly amid a global context marked by economic uncertainty and major disruptions. He also underlined the need to find concrete solutions to ensure a better balance in bilateral trade.

According to the minister, discussions focused on developing a shared vision to facilitate trade flows, including customs-related issues and ways to ease access for a wider range of Moroccan products to the U.S. market.

Mezzour added that the meeting also highlighted Morocco’s role as a regional hub and gateway to African markets. The two sides reviewed the impact of recent U.S. customs decisions and explored mechanisms to strengthen the positioning and competitiveness of Moroccan products under the evolving trade landscape.